Manhattan Market Tote

Skill Level: Easy

Finished Size: 14.5" tall and 11" wide

Materials:

• 3 skeins of Lion Brand Hartland Thick & Quick
• Crochet hook size P (11.5 mm)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Gauge:
Abbreviations:

• ch - chain
• sc - single crochet
• cscb - center single crochet
• st - stitch
• sk - skip

Notes:
This bag is worked from the base up in continuous rounds. You will start by creating a flat circle by crocheting in the round with single crochet stitches. From there you will work up with sides using the CSC stitch. This is the “center single crochet” stitch. This stitch is much like single crochet, but you work through the legs of the single crochet below. See my pictures on how to do it, or you can find some YouTube tutorials as well. Here is a good one from Moogly:

http://www.mooglyblog.com/center-single-crochet-aka-waistcoat-stitch/

Instructions:

Base of Bag: (flat circle done in single crochet)
• Round 1: Work 6 single crochet into magic cricle.
• Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc)
• Round 3: *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next. Repeat from * around (18 sc)
• Round 4: *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around (24 sc)
• Round 5: *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3 stitches. Repeat from * around (30 sc)
• Round 6: *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 4 stitches. Repeat from * around (36 sc)
• Round 7: *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 5 stitches. Repeat from * around (42 sc)
• Round 8: *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 6 stitches. Repeat from * around (48 sc) Skip stitch and slip stitch to join, leaving 47 stitches in the round.
Lower half side:
Note: A round of back post single crochet or back post half double crochet makes a nice transition from the bottom to the side.
• Round 9: Sc in each st around (47 st). Mark the round.
• Round 10: Csc in each stitch around.
• Round 11: Csc in each stitch around, continue until the side measures 5".
Upper half of side: This is the mesh portion of the side.
• Next round: *Ch 2, sk stitch, slip st into next st. Repeat from * around.
• Next 14 rounds: *Ch 2, sk stitch, slip st into next ch 2 below. Repeat from * around. Repeat until this section measures about 6.5"
Top Portion:
• Round 1: 2 Sc in each ch 2 st below.
• Round 2 - 5: Csc in each st around.
Handle:
• Round 1: Csc 5, ch 1 turn.
• Round 2: Csc across, ch 1 turn (4 csc) Continue until handle measures 19" or your desired length.
• Attach handle to opposite side of bag taking care to keep the spaces evan and not twisting the handle.
Finishing:
• Single crochet around the edges of the handle and top of bag. (Reverse single crochet will give a nice rolled edge.) Attach a pair of tassels for a decorative touch.